Machu Picchu : A Wonder Of The World

By Author: Nicola Connolly
Total Articles: 4
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Machu Picchu is one of the most well known tourist attractions not just in South America but all over the world. Machu Picchu is located in the Urubamba Valley in Peru at an astonishing height of almost eight thousand feet above sea level and is a remarkable testament to the engineering ingenuity of the ancient Incas.

Machu Picchu is one of the most well known tourist attractions not just in South America but all over the world. Machu Picchu is located in the Urubamba Valley in Peru at an astonishing height of almost eight thousand feet above sea level and is a remarkable testament to the engineering ingenuity of the ancient Incas. It receives millions of tourists every year. Cusco is the airport closest to the site known as ‘The City of the Incas’. No international flight operates to the airport with the exception of some from La Paz in Bolivia. Most tourists take a connecting flight from Lima, the capital city of Peru.

Travel to Machu Picchu is relatively easy. Cusco is well connected by train to Aguas Calientes with numerous departures every day by both Peru Rail and Inca Rail. In the peak tourist ...
... season (June – August) it can be difficult to get a ticket, so do book well in advance. Once you reach Aguas Calientes, also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo, you have to take a bus or walk up to the ruins.

Cusco & Machu Picchu travel opportunities and activities abound. However, the biggest draw for all visitors to this place is the main citadel itself. The iconic landmark is the best preserved Inca site in the Andean region. In 2007 it was voted as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Built on dizzying, terraced slopes, the citadel sits on a saddle between two dramatic mountain peaks. Besides the Temple of the Sun, the other key attractions are the Ritual Fountains, the Royal Palace and Nusta’s Bedroom. Spectacular views are available from the Huayna Picchu peak at the northern end of the site. Just make sure to buy your Huayna Picchu ticket in advance as only 400 people a day are permitted to do this hike.

Trips to Peru and Machu Picchu would be incomplete without a visit to the Manuel Chavez Ballon Site Museum. A trip to this museum, located near Puente Ruinas, about a thirty minute walk from Aguas Calientes is useful to get an understanding of the history and importance of the ruins. Interactive displays and colourful artefacts make a walk through this museum a nice way to spend a few hours.

Cusco travel and Machu Picchu tours can be a little complicated particularly in high season (June – August) because only 2500 people a day are allowed into this UNESCO World Heritage site. You can book your tickets in advance either online or through a recognized tour operator and you can also book your tickets when you arrive in Cusco at the ‘Direccion Regional de Cultura’ office. Tickets for children under the age of eight are free.

A Machu Picchu travel journey is truly a great adventure. Just remember to buy your Machu Picchu tickets well in advance particularly during high season!
Resource: http://www.bestofcusco.com/machu-picchu-home/